CU-Boulder vs University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)

Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the University of Colorado Boulder, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Big Ten institution, stand as two distinct academic powerhouses. While both universities offer a world-class education, they differ in several key aspects. CU Boulder boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating a more selective admissions process, while UNL offers a more open admissions policy. CU Boulder's student body is more diverse, with a higher percentage of international students, while UNL's student body is predominantly made up of in-state students. In terms of popular majors, CU Boulder excels in fields like engineering, business, and environmental studies, while UNL is known for its strengths in agriculture, education, and biological sciences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve deeper into these differences and discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of Colorado Boulder	University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Overview
Location	Boulder, Colorado	Lincoln, Nebraska
Campus setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	87.0%	80.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	79.6%	81.1%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $50 Graduate: $60	Undergraduate: $45 Graduate: $50
SAT range	1170 - 1390	1090 - 1320
ACT range	25 - 31	22 - 28
Students submitting SAT score	32.0%	8.0%
Students submitting ACT score	16.0%	85.0%
Total number of applicants	54,756	17,775
Total number of admissions given out	43,576	14,411
Admitted students who chose to enroll	6,785	4,736
Yield rate	15.6%	32.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Not required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Not required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $29,725 Out of state: $55,543	In state: $26,316 Out of state: $43,446
Average net price	$22,532	$18,403
Tuition	In state: $10,728 Out of state: $36,546	In state: $7,770 Out of state: $24,900
Room & board	$15,220	Room/dormitory: $7,485 Meal plan: $4,653
Available payment plans	Guaranteed tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	53.0% Average amount $9,214	96.0% Average amount $8,608
Students receiving federal student loan	27.0% Average amount $4,986	34.0% Average amount $4,691
Students taking out private loans	6.0% Average amount $24,094	5.0% Average amount $13,909

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	30,886 Men 54.8% Women 45.2%	19,552 Men 50.5% Women 49.5%
Graduate students	8,114 Men 57.8% Women 42.2%	4,879 Men 49.2% Women 50.8%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Low	Very Low
Out-of-state students	48.8%	25.7%
International students	7.1%	7.4%
Campus local/setting	City: Midsize	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	7,500	6,936
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	Colorado California Texas Illinois New York	Nebraska Illinois Minnesota Kansas Iowa

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Engineering Communication and Journalism Visual & Performing Arts Legal Profession	Engineering Agriculture Education Business Visual & Performing Arts
Students to faculty ratio	18:1	16:1
Institutional accreditation	Higher Learning Commission	Higher Learning Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	74.0%	66.4%
Dropout rate	8.6%	10.7%
Transferred out	15.9%	21.4%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Engineering, General (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,752 Year 2: $116,679 Year 3: $121,033 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $97,071 Year 3: $118,373 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $93,907 Year 2: $94,408 Year 3: $108,458 Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $85,254 Year 2: $89,641 Year 3: $97,860 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $76,200 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $92,272 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $87,191 Year 2: $80,503 Year 3: $87,258 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,023 Year 2: $75,204 Year 3: $86,676 Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,804 Year 2: $75,921 Year 3: $85,563 Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $75,633 Year 2: $83,177 Year 3: $85,039 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $68,440 Year 2: $71,957 Year 3: $83,132	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,695 Year 2: $91,017 Year 3: $102,607 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $74,888 Year 2: $78,134 Year 3: $86,893 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,533 Year 2: $64,493 Year 3: $86,584 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $69,494 Year 2: $68,918 Year 3: $78,265 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,969 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $75,873 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,040 Year 2: $71,015 Year 3: $74,823 Education, Other (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $72,325 Year 3: $73,798 Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $61,124 Year 2: $58,402 Year 3: $73,111 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,572 Year 2: $66,168 Year 3: $72,183 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $63,299 Year 2: $66,821 Year 3: $71,063

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL)?

CU Boulder and UNL differ significantly in location, campus culture, and academic focus. CU Boulder, located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, offers a strong emphasis on research, particularly in aerospace engineering, environmental science, and physics. It has a more liberal and outdoorsy campus culture. UNL, situated in the Midwest, is a land-grant university with a strong agricultural and engineering focus. It's known for its strong sense of community and traditional college atmosphere, particularly around its athletics programs.
Which university is better known for its engineering programs: CU Boulder or UNL?

Both universities have strong engineering programs, but CU Boulder is generally considered to have a slight edge in aerospace engineering and related fields due to its proximity to aerospace companies and research facilities. UNL, however, excels in agricultural engineering and civil engineering, reflecting Nebraska's agricultural heritage and infrastructure needs. The 'better' program depends on your specific engineering interests.
How do the tuition costs compare between CU Boulder and UNL?

Generally, CU Boulder's tuition is higher than UNL's, especially for out-of-state students. However, the exact cost varies depending on the specific program and residency status. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information, and to explore available scholarships and financial aid options at each institution.
What is the campus environment like at CU Boulder versus UNL?

CU Boulder's campus environment is known for its active outdoor lifestyle, with students frequently engaging in hiking, skiing, and other mountain activities. The city of Boulder is also known for its progressive and environmentally conscious culture. UNL, on the other hand, offers a more traditional college town experience, with a strong emphasis on school spirit and community involvement. Football games are a major event, and the campus has a more Midwestern feel.
Which university has a stronger focus on research?

Both CU Boulder and UNL are research universities, but CU Boulder has a slightly stronger emphasis on research, particularly in STEM fields. CU Boulder receives significant research funding and has numerous research institutes and centers. UNL also conducts significant research, especially in agriculture, engineering, and life sciences, and is a member of the Big Ten Academic Alliance, which fosters research collaboration.
How do the acceptance rates compare between CU Boulder and UNL?

UNL generally has a higher acceptance rate than CU Boulder, making it somewhat easier to get into. CU Boulder's location and reputation attract a large number of applicants, resulting in a more competitive admissions process. Check the latest admissions statistics on each university's website for the most accurate information.
What are the popular majors at CU Boulder and UNL?

At CU Boulder, popular majors include engineering (especially aerospace), business, environmental science, and psychology. At UNL, popular majors include business, engineering (especially agricultural and mechanical), agriculture, and education. These reflect the strengths and regional focuses of each university.
How do the career opportunities differ for graduates of CU Boulder and UNL?

Career opportunities for CU Boulder graduates are often found in the aerospace, technology, and environmental sectors, particularly in the Denver-Boulder area and along the Front Range of Colorado. UNL graduates find opportunities in agriculture, engineering, business, and education, primarily in the Midwest region. Both universities have strong career services departments to assist students with internships and job placement.
Which university is located in a larger city?

While Boulder is a vibrant city, Lincoln, Nebraska, is the state capital and has a larger overall population. However, Boulder is closer to Denver, a major metropolitan area, providing access to a wider range of cultural and professional opportunities.
What are the athletic programs like at CU Boulder and UNL?

Both CU Boulder and UNL have strong athletic programs. CU Boulder is part of the Pac-12 Conference (soon to be the Big 12) and is known for its football, cross country, and skiing programs. UNL is a member of the Big Ten Conference and is renowned for its football program, which has a rich history and passionate fan base. Both universities offer a wide range of varsity and intramural sports.

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